Monticello Live

– “I went down to Grand Central Station and got pizza for me and DiGiovanni, and we went to the elevator. I was dressed in my urban attire… and these two suits walked up and they looked at us and then backed out and left. It was weird because you could tell they were scared of us because of what we were wearing. I think they thought I was going to rob them. “ – Andrew (LilDru) Bentz

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In the game of golf, a “do over” on the tee shot is often called a “mulligan”.

Around 8 am, Tuesday morning, the driver of this Volkswagen certainly needed a “do over” as the vehicle lost control as it topped Country Club Hill, crashed through a fence, narrowly missing a power pole, before flipping, and finally coming to rest between a group of trees (on the sidewalk near the 9th hole of the golf course). 

According to reports, the driver was not injured.

A neighbor told MLive, in 17 years living nearby, she has seen 8 major wrecks near that hill and intersectin.

MPD and DCSO worked the accident,  C&L Wrecker towed the VW.

From Leamington, Ontario, Canada all the way to Southeast Arkansas has been quite the journey for Ryan Copico. Ryan’s life began in Canada, where he was born on January 12, 1976. His parents are Ruben and Rowena Copico, originally from the Philippines.

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Change your light bulbs. Not just when they burn out. Exchange any incandescent bulbs for compact fluorescents. You will use only 30% of the energy and still get just as much light.

Look for the Energy Star logo. The symbol designates appliances that are energy-efficient. If you purchase only those that are certified, you may pay more initially for these items. Over time, however, you’ll save on energy bills while helping the environment.

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“When you’re working with special needs, they’re giving you the best they’ve got. When you think of everyday people, you’ve got people that aren’t giving their best, they know they’re not, and they’re okay with it.” – Karen Caldwell

"AJ Huffman joined the Caldwell's team at the 2011 Polar Plunge.

On June 25, 1967 in Heidelberg, Germany, Morris and Gertrud Donham welcomed their youngest child into the world. As they counted her ten fingers and ten toes, they likely wondered what her future would hold. What would she do with her life? What impact would this child have on the people she encountered? Today, citizens of Monticello, AR are thankful for the daughter they raised and the blessings she has spent her life pouring out to others.

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This week’s One Monticello Life story features a member of our community that has been mentioned to MLive as a good candidate for recognition more times than any other. She is well known throughout the entire city, yet she isn’t a politician, doctor, lawyer, or in the public spotlight at all.

MLive recently received an email from a local business leader saying, “I went through the Taco Bell drive-thru today and realized that for a very long time, I have heard this sweet little voice take my order, and how nice she always is, and I took the time to thank her for a job well done.

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Eddy Deaton has a new title at the Monticello Police Department as of January 2012… Chief Deaton. He takes his future goals for the department very seriously.

 “I want to make the Monticello Police Department one of the best departments in the state. I want the officers to have the most updated training and equipment out there. I want to see all law enforcement agencies working together to accomplish a common goal of professional enforcement of the law, and community involvement, to aid in preventing and stopping crime.”

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Sheila Gardner and Kim Wilson, Monticello & Statewide Teacher of the Year, at the Awards Banquet

At the MEDC / Chamber of Commerce Awards Banquet, each school district honored one teacher as their “Teacher of the Year.”

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Tom Henry of the Montongo community recently brought a copy of a northwest Arkansas newspaper to church with him.

“That’s my granddaughter”, Tom said with pride.  

After reading the article printed in The Times of Northeast Benton County, written by Annette Beard, it was plain to see that he had a reason to be proud.

“I can’t believe I get paid to do this,” the 23-year-old Air Force second lieutenant said of flying.

Kristin Henry earned her bachelor’s degree in aeronautical engineering from the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., in 2010, and is now stationed at Vance Air Force Base in Enid, Okla. There, she is in the process of earning her wings – becoming a military-rated pilot.

In high school, when most teen-aged girls were getting their driver’s license, worrying about proms and their first car, Kristin had earned both her visual and instrumental pilot’s licenses.

Click here for the full story from “The Times” / NWAonline.com.

2011 brought with it many headlines that affected our lives.   Some simply stirred our interest, while others changed the way we live.

MonticelloLive is posting the top 40 headlines of 2011, based on pageviews, video plays, and amount of public conversation that the stories inspired.

While we are reminiscing, here are links to the 2009 Headlines and the 2010 Headlines- The Year in Review.

The Local Economy

2011 brought with it many changes in Monticello’s business climate.  In August, SeaArk Marine announced their closing as of this month (SeaArk Boats remains unaffected by this change).  Last month, Drew County Speedway told of their operations ceasing, as well.  Larry’a Pizza, Topps Pizza, and other businesses closed during the year.

Even while experiencing the loss of several employers, and several dozen jobs, Monticello still remains one of the “brighter” spots in southeast Arkansas, based on the number of businesses that either started, expanded, hired more workers, were purchased by new owners, or added important equipment.  Each of these entities showed a commitment to their employees, and their intentions to remain a part of Monticello’s future.

Those  75   businesses, industries, and organizations include…..
(Hold mouse over image to view business identity)

Click here for the story about “school without books.”

The fact that MonticelloLive was recognized as the Chamber of Commerces’s “Business of the Year” was an honor, but the reason that this headline made the Top 20 list, is because this achievement was possible.

With the economy being a national topic, and the public impression being that most new businesses fail, this award proves that a new business (in operation only 4 years), with a dedicated owner, a small support staff, and big dreams, can still “keep your feet on the ground, and keep reaching for the stars”, as Casey Kasey used to say.

MLive has had 2.7 million page views in the past 12 months, and over 30,000 video plays of local news and events. 

Several of it’s stories and videos have been picked up and aired by all 4 Little Rock television stations. 

MLive has also been included in articles in Arkansas Business and Arkansas Times, but owner Joe Burgess considers it’s most prized achievement to be the “Business of the Year” award.

Although a parade may not be considered a “news story” the 2011 Drew County Fair Parade was the 7th most watched video of the year, with the Chamber of Commerce’s “Carols of Christmas” Parade coming in at #11.

Tillar’s 2nd annual Christmas parade also earned an impressive view level.

Note: An “engaging” event that occurred at the Christmas parade, which earned statewide news coverage, will rank higher in the “Top 40 Stories”.

In sharing the Christmas spirit, MonticelloLive.com donated the toys shown here to 3 worth programs.

One group went to the Ryburn Motor Company sleigh, which are distributed by the Junior Auxiliary.

Another group went to Cablevision’s Toys for Tots program, which will find good homes for the goodies, through the assistance of DHS.

The final third of the Christmas toys was delivered to the Baptist Home for Children.

All items donated will remain in Drew County, and bring joy to our local childrem.

These two photos are of the Monticello Doctors exhibit at the museum there are numerous photos of Doctors including the first doctor in Monticello as well as the first African-American Doctor in Monticello, Also in the cases are the tools of the trade, I can remember as a tot going to Dr. Hyatt’s office on Main Street and usually if one in the family was ill all of the family was, but this particular time stands out, Myself and my brother were sick with colds and had to receive a shot, Dr. Hyatt came in with a ominous looking metal syringe full of white liquid stuck it in my arm shot half of it in and pulled the needle out and jabbed it in my brother releasing the remainder of the medicine. How many of you can remember the “old days of modern medicine”?

Come see this and many other interesting items on display at your Drew County Museum, We are open Fridays from 1pm till 4pm, and Saturdays and Sundays from 2 pm till 4 pm.

If you are interested in becoming a member of the Drew County Historical Society, memberships are $25 Dollars for a single membership or $40 for a family membership. Please mail your membership request to The Drew County Historical Society 404 South Main Monticello, AR 71655.

The Arkansas Airport Operator’s Association has announced that Monticello’s Ellis Field has been chosen as the 2011 Arkansas Airport of the Year.

The Monticello Airport was also selected as Airport of the Year in 2008.  Our Airport is the only “repeat winner” of this award in over 20 years. 

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When a resident of Oak View Apartments went to her car, last Wednesday morning, she discovered that it had been hit in the rear, overnight, and the accident was not reported.

When Monticello Police arrived, the investigation led to the discovery that the “hit & run” vehicle was actually a City of Monticello trash truck.  Estimates to repair the vehicle came in at around $3,000.

Since a city vehicle was involved, the Drew County Sheriff’s Dept. took over the case.

City truck #116 was identified as the vehicle involved, which was confirmed by paint marks.

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These 2 calves have found a comfortable home in the back yard of a Western Pines residence.

Friends say the owners treat them just like “the family dogs.”

In preparation for the coming dedication of the downtown square and Ridgeway Monticello, the Monticello Downtown Revitalization Committee and Monticello Economic Development Commission need photos to include in a slide show for the public.

They are looking for photos of downtown Monticello and the Ridgeway Hotel from the 1930’s and 1940’s period. If you have photos that we can copy electronically, please contact 367-3076.

Your photos will not be damaged and will be returned to you immediately.

Thank you in advance for your help.

Click on the >< to enlarge

Around 1:18, Friday afternoon, several 911 calls came into Monticello Dispatch, reporting the drowning of a 17 year old male, from Missouri, in Lake Monticello’s south end, near the boat ramp.

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What if I told you that someone buried in Oakland Cemetary had risen from the grave? What if I told you that their burial place was broken open and no body could be found? What would be your first impulse?

“But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense. Peter, however got up and ran to the tomb.” Luke 24.11,12a (NIV). 

Some would probably think it was crazy. Some would consider it mere nonsense. But some, like Peter, would run to the tomb to see for themselves. It stands to reason that those who had the most to lose or gain would be the first to examine the site. Everyone of any importance knew where Jesus had been buried. I wonder how many people visited there over the first few days. Perhaps a hundred? Maybe a thousand? Is it reasonable to believe that it was a large number?

If a large number of people examined that grave and found it to be empty, wouldn’t that help to explain why so many people converted to following Jesus on the day of Pentecost? That might also explain why “The Way” spread so rapidly in such a short time. It could also help us understand why such a story would survive such great persecution, span so many borders and boundaries, and continue to shape history as radically now as it did 2000 years ago.

“Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened.” Luke 24.12b

Peter eventually came to a conclusion about what he’d seen and his life, and the world, changed forever.

Have you come to a conclusion? What will it change?

“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”  Romans 10:9

by Rob Leonard, Pauline Baptist Church, MBSF.

Earlier this afternoon, the Monticello Fire Dept. and Ark. Forestry Commission spent several hours battling  a large forest fire, located near Drew 22 Lane and Old Deene Road, just off of Old Dermott Road.

The blaze origionally began near Old Troy Road.

It has been estimated that approximately 80 acres of forest was damaged by the fire, as it was fanned by winds with gusts up to around 20 mph.

4 trucks, 2 dozers, and at least 3 planes were used in the battle against the raging fire.

The Arkansas Foresty Commision remained on the scene at 5 pm, still dropping water on the “hot spots” and running plows to keep the blaze contained.

ComputerGuys Snowcam

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Image refreshes once per minute.
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The Computer Guys are located next to the Fire Dept. on Church Street, next to the railroad tracks.

Thanks to our dedicated readers, MonticelloLive is proud to announce MLive has had over 2 million pageviews in the past 12 months according to OneStat.com.

2,038,518 times in the past 12 months, readers have clicked on MonticelloLive.com to keep up-to-date with news and information about their city, county, schools, weather, court system and other items of local interest.

Our appreciation goes out to our readers for their dedication; and to our sponsors for making MonticelloLive possible.

MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

The Monticello City Council Thursday night voted to removed all city funding of the Monticello/Drew County Chamber of Commerce following new Monticello Mayor Allen Maxwell’s recommendation. (more…)

Bill and Beverly Burchfield are a well-known duo in Monticello. Both have devoted their lives to God, the church, and serving others. Many in the community have referred to them as a great choice for the next One Monticello Life due to how they touch other’s lives every day.

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“I grew up in a different time than what kids today are. Living was foot-loose and fancy-free! You didn’t lock your doors, you left your windows open, you left your car unlocked. We kids would get together on our bikes early in the morning and ride all around town and we wouldn’t get back home until dark. I don’t think any of our parents ever knew where we were, but they knew we’d be back home.” (more…)

Since 1964, the name “Ray” has been well known throughout Monticello and surrounding areas. It all began when C.L. Ray started “Ray’s” restaurant 46 years ago, and the family tradition has carried on since.

C.L. Ray’s grandson, Chris Ray was born February 24, 1974 to Mark and Laurie Ray. Chris grew up here in Monticello, and described it as “a great place to live, and a wonderful place to raise a family.” (more…)

MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

The Drew County Industry of the Year award was recently presented to Launius Enterprises, also known as The Marketplace, at the MEDC/Chamber of Commerce banquet. The Marketplace is a 47,000 square foot building in which space is offered to individuals and businesses in order to sell their products. This week’s One Monticello Life tells of the beginning and growth of The Marketplace and its owners, Gene and Shelly Launius.

When Gene and Shelly Launius moved to Monticello from Hector in order for Gene to continue his education in forestry, an idea like The Marketplace never crossed their minds. Years later after owning J&L Timber Company and Prestige Home Furnishings, they purchased the old building that currently houses The Marketplace in hopes to lease the property to other companies. After numerous failed attempts, Gene had an idea and started the wheels rolling.

The Marketplace opened in September of 2009 with 77 booth spaces available and one man’s dream of becoming “THE” place to shop in Southeast Arkansas. The booths completely filled up within a few months so work quickly began to open up more of the building for additional spaces. Located at 249 Hwy 425 North in what most Monticellonians remember as the old Safeway grocery store, The Marketplace currently has 190 retail booth spaces between two parts of the building with future plans of more being added once the third phase of the building is finished.

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Allen and Ruby Lee Maxwell gave life to six children, one of which they named Tommy. It was May 4, 1949 when Tommy Maxwell came into the world in Warren, AR. Warren would be the city he would call home for all of his years growing up.

Life growing up was good in the Maxwell home. Allen worked with Arkansas Power and Light plus other side jobs that the kids were allowed to work with him.

“As kids, we helped dad with little odds and ends jobs like wiring and trimming trees. For fun, we loved to hunt and play sports. My favorite sport was football. I played until I hurt my back as a Junior in high school. I was injured during a game against Monticello High.” (more…)